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{{Short description|Award}}

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The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is a lifetime honor presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) to a living writer of fantasy or science fiction. It was first awarded in 1975, to Robert Heinlein. In 2002, it was renamed after Damon Knight, the founder of SFWA, who had died that year.The presentation is made at the annual SFWA Nebula Awards banquet, commonly during May, but it is not one of the Nebulas, which recognize the preceding calendar year's works and are selected by vote of all Association members. SFWA officers and past presidents alone submit Grand Master nominations and the final selection must be approved by a majority of that group. The recipient is announced in advance, commonly during the preceding calendar year.From 1995 to 2010, SFWA also gave some writers the title of Author Emeritus. In 2023, SFWA announced the creation of the Infinity Award, which posthumously honors creators who died before they could be considered for the Grand Master Award. The first recipient of the Infinity Award was Octavia E. Butler."The Inaugural Infinity Award Honoree: Octavia E. Butler," Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), April 27, 2023.

History

The first Grand Master, Robert Heinlein, was named in 1975. The Grand Master Award was originally limited to six recipients per decade;{{Citation|last=Harlan Ellison|title=Harlan Ellison's Watching 36|date=1994|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3VIKwH9seM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/U3VIKwH9seM |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-08-24}}{{cbignore}} six were presented in the ten years to 1984 and twelve in the twenty years to 1994. From 1995, the award has been conferred annually, with the exception of 2002 and 2011. Andre Norton was the first woman to receive the award, in 1984. As of 2024, Nalo Hopkinson is the youngest person to have received the award; she was aged 59.From 1995 to 2010, SFWA also awarded the title of Author Emeritus "as a way to recognize and appreciate senior writers in the genres of science fiction and fantasy who have made significant contributions to our field but who are no longer active or whose excellent work may no longer be as widely known as it once was." Recipients were invited to speak at the annual Nebula Awards banquet. Fourteen honorees were named in the sixteen years the award was given. As of 2024, there has been no overlap between Grand Masters and Authors Emeritus. The award's status as a consolation prize was a matter of controversy, and by October 2013 the Author Emeritus webpage had been removed by SFWA.

Grand Masters

As of 2024, 40 Grand Masters have been created. The list below shows the year of the award ceremonies for each respective recipient. Awards are announced in advance of the ceremony, sometimes in the preceding year.WEB, SFWA Grand Master Award,weblink 2024-02-17, sfadb.com, {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"|+!Year!Recipient!Ref.!1975!1976!1977!1978|—|!1979!1980|—|!1981!1982|—|!1983|—|!1984!1985|—|!1986!1987!1988!1989!1990|—|!1991!1992|—|!1993!1994|—|!1995!1996!1997!1998!1999!2000!2001!2002|—|!2003!2004!2005!2006

		URL=HTTP://WWW.SFWA.ORG/NEWS/2006/06NEBWIN.HTM	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20080705121607/HTTP://SFWA.ORG/NEWS/2006/06NEBWIN.HTM	WORK=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA INC.,

!2007!2008

		DATE=APRIL 24, 2008	WORK=DALLAS MORNING NEWS	URL-STATUS=DEAD	ARCHIVE-DATE=APRIL 29, 2008, FEBRUARY 28, 2008 >TITLE=MICHAEL MOORCOCK NAMED SFWA GRAND MASTER	URL-STATUS=DEAD	ARCHIVE-DATE=APRIL 2, 2008, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Inc.,

!2009

		TITLE=NEBULA AWARDS ANNOUNCED	URL-STATUS=LIVE	ARCHIVE-DATE=AUGUST 10, 2022	WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE		DATE=2009-04-26	URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2009/04/26/NEBULA-AWARD-WINNERS/	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20201025081815/HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2009/04/26/NEBULA-AWARD-WINNERS/	ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11	TOR.COM >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2010

URL=HTTPS://WWW.SHELF-AWARENESS.COM/ISSUE.HTML?ISSUE=1188

WEBSITE=SHELF AWARENESS

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20171002213148/HTTP://WWW.SHELF-AWARENESS.COM/ISSUE.HTML?ISSUE=1188

DATE=2010-05-15

URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2010/05/15/2010-NEBUAL-AWARD-WINNERS/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20210924091247/HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2010/05/15/2010-NEBUAL-AWARD-WINNERS/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

TOR.COM >LANGUAGE=EN-US, >DATE=2010-05-16

URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2010/05/NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20221212201522/HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2010/05/NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

LOCUS ONLINE >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2011|—|!2012

TITLE=2011 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS

URL-STATUS=LIVE

ARCHIVE-DATE=JULY 13, 2017

WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE

TITLE=ANNOUNCING THE 2011 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS

URL-STATUS=LIVE

ARCHIVE-DATE=APRIL 9, 2015

WEBSITE=TOR.COM

DATE=2012-01-16

URL=HTTPS://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2012/01/16/SFWA-NAMES-CONNIE-WILLIS-RECIPIENT-OF-THE-2011-DAMON-KNIGHT-MEMORIAL-GRAND-MASTER-AWARD/

WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA

ARCHIVE-DATE=2022-12-11

URL-STATUS=LIVE,

!2013

DATE=2012-12-13

URL=HTTPS://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2012/12/13/2012-DAMON-KNIGHT-MEMORIAL-GRAND-MASTER-AWARDED-TO-GENE-WOLFE/

WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA

ARCHIVE-DATE=2022-12-06

URL-STATUS=LIVE, FLOOD >FIRST=ALISON

TITLE=GENE WOLFE WINS GRAND MASTER AWARD FOR SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY

ACCESS-DATE=2012-12-14

THE GUARDIAN >ARCHIVE-DATE=2021-03-08

URL-STATUS=LIVE, >DATE=2013-05-19

URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2013/05/2012-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20170802171347/HTTP://WWW.LOCUSMAG.COM/NEWS/2013/05/2012-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

LOCUS ONLINE >LANGUAGE=EN-US, >DATE=2013-05-19

URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2013/05/18/NEBULA-WINNERS-2012/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20221206104119/HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2013/05/18/NEBULA-WINNERS-2012/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

TOR.COM >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2014

		TITLE=2013 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS	URL-STATUS=LIVE	ARCHIVE-DATE=DECEMBER 10, 2022	WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE		TITLE=CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2013 NEBULA AWARD WINNERS	URL-STATUS=LIVE	ARCHIVE-DATE=MAY 25, 2022	WEBSITE=TOR.COM, en-US,

!2015

		TITLE=2014 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS	URL-STATUS=LIVE	ARCHIVE-DATE=DECEMBER 10, 2022	WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE, en-US,

!2016

		URL=HTTP://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2016/02/35732/	WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA	ARCHIVE-DATE=JANUARY 21, 2020	URL-STATUS=DEAD, >DATE=2016-05-14	URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2016/05/14/ANNOUNCING-THE-2015-NEBULA-AWARD-WINNERS/	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20221120053044/HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2016/05/14/ANNOUNCING-THE-2015-NEBULA-AWARD-WINNERS/	ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11	TOR.COM >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2017

		URL=HTTP://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2016/11/SFWA-ANNOUNCES-NEWEST-DAMON-KNIGHT-GRAND-MASTER-JANE-YOLEN/	WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA	ARCHIVE-DATE=JANUARY 16, 2020	URL-STATUS=LIVE,

!2018

TITLE=2017 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS

URL-STATUS=LIVE

ARCHIVE-DATE=DECEMBER 7, 2022

WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE

TITLE=ANNOUNCING THE 2017 NEBULA AWARDS WINNERS!

URL-STATUS=LIVE

ARCHIVE-DATE=AUGUST 19, 2022

WEBSITE=TOR.COM

URL=HTTP://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2018/01/SFWA-ANNOUNCES-NEWEST-GRAND-MASTER-PETER-S-BEAGLE/

WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA

ARCHIVE-DATE=JANUARY 21, 2020

URL-STATUS=LIVE, 2018-01-23 >TITLE=BEAGLE NAMED SFWA GRAND MASTER

ACCESS-DATE=JANUARY 23, 2018

LOCUS MAGAZINE >PUBLISHER=

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20191012004158/HTTP://LOCUSMAG.COM/2018/01/BEAGLE-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/, live,

!2019

URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2019/01/GIBSON-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/

WEBSITE=LOCUS MAGAZINE

ARCHIVE-DATE=2019-12-06

URL-STATUS=LIVE, >DATE=2019-05-19

URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2019/05/2018-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20220728185547/HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2019/05/2018-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

LOCUS ONLINE >LANGUAGE=EN-US, >DATE=2019-05-19

URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2019/05/19/ANNOUNCING-THE-2018-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20220816070928/HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2019/05/19/ANNOUNCING-THE-2018-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/

ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11

TOR.COM >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2020

		URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2019/12/BUJOLD-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/	PUBLISHER=LOCUS MAGAZINE	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20191210012641/HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2019/12/BUJOLD-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/, live,

!2021

		URL=HTTPS://WWW.TOR.COM/2020/12/01/SFWA-NAMES-NALO-HOPKINSON-AS-THE-37TH-DAMON-KNIGHT-GRAND-MASTER/	WEBSITE=TOR.COM	ARCHIVE-DATE=2020-12-01	URL-STATUS=LIVE, >DATE=2021-06-06	URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2021/06/2020-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230105003232/HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2021/06/2020-NEBULA-AWARDS-WINNERS/	ACCESS-DATE=2023-03-11	LOCUS ONLINE >LANGUAGE=EN-US,

!2022

		URL=HTTPS://NEBULAS.SFWA.ORG/MERCEDES-LACKEY-NAMED-THE-38TH-SFWA-DAMON-KNIGHT-MEMORIAL-GRAND-MASTER/	WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20211104220339/HTTPS://NEBULAS.SFWA.ORG/MERCEDES-LACKEY-NAMED-THE-38TH-SFWA-DAMON-KNIGHT-MEMORIAL-GRAND-MASTER/		URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2021/11/LACKEY-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/	WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20211105174500/HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2021/11/LACKEY-NAMED-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/, live,

!2023

		URL=HTTPS://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2022/11/28/ROBIN-MCKINLEY-39TH-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/	WEBSITE=SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20221128170648/HTTPS://WWW.SFWA.ORG/2022/11/28/ROBIN-MCKINLEY-39TH-SFWA-GRAND-MASTER/, live,

!2024|Susan Cooper (1935–)

	URL=HTTPS://LOCUSMAG.COM/2024/02/COOPER-NAMED-GRAND-MASTER/	WEBSITE=LOCUS ONLINE		TITLE=SFWA NAMES SUSAN COOPER AS THE 40TH DAMON KNIGHT MEMORIAL GRAND MASTER	ACCESS-DATE=2024-02-08	LANGUAGE=EN-US,

Infinity Award

In 2023, SFWA announced the creation of the Infinity Award, which posthumously honors creators who died before they could be considered for the Grand Master Award. SFWA President Jeffe Kennedy said, "Over the years, so many creators have been passed over for the Grand Master nod, for one reason or another. Some died tragically early. Others were not recognized for their work during their lifetimes because of cultural prejudices and blind spots."{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"|+!Year!Recipient!Ref.!2023!2024

Anthologies

In 1989, the anthology Grand Masters' Choice was published, edited by Andre Norton and Ingrid Zierhut. Three more anthologies honoring recipients of the Grand Master Award and collecting some of their short works have been published: The SFWA Grand Masters, Volume 1 (1999), The SFWA Grand Masters, Volume 2 (2000), and The SFWA Grand Masters, Volume 3 (2001), all edited by Frederik Pohl. Collectively, they honor the first fifteen recipients of the award.

See also

• The Gandalf Grand Master Award for life achievement in fantasy writing, awarded annually by the World Science Fiction Society (1974 to 1981)
• World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement

References

. The Locus Index to SF Awards: About the Awards. Locus Publications. Retrieved 2013-04-01."Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308182313weblink |date=2013-03-08 }}. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Retrieved 2013-04-01.weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130409202707weblink">"SFWA Author Emeritus". SFWA. Archived 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-12-06.weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130409202707weblink">"SFWA Author Emeritus" (unavailable). SFWA. Archived 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2013-12-06."Tanith Lee Announced as 2024 SFWA Infinity Award Recipient." SFWA. March 12, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-12.}}

Further reading

• "Joe Haldeman named Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124195707weblink |date=2018-01-24 }}. SFWA. December 15, 2009. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
• "SFWA names Connie Willis recipient of the 2011 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212140123weblink |date=2013-12-12 }}. SFWA. January 16, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
• 2012 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master awarded to Gene Wolfe" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212140126weblink |date=2013-12-12 }}. SFWA. December 13, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
• "2013 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award: Samuel R. Delany" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205163514weblink |date=2013-12-05 }}. SFWA. December 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
• "2015 Larry Niven Named SFWA Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416101904weblink |date=2015-04-16 }}. SFWA. March 2, 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-16.

External links

• "SFWA Grand Master Award" in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
• Michael Moorcock at 2008 Nebula Award Ceremony (flickr)
• weblink" title="archive.today/20130205025407weblink">Harry Harrison and Robert Silverberg at 2009 Nebula award ceremony (twitpic)

{{Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Awards}}{{Nebula Awards}}{{Science fiction}}